The question, on the eve of the 2014 Emmy Awards, is whether "Breaking Bad" will sweep the honors as a parting gift.

If "Breaking Bad" rules the major categories as many expect, there will be much gnashing of teeth over the series' split season, which cleverly made it eligible for another Emmy round.

Other category gimmickry — such as counting "True Detective" as a series, not a mini-, while counting "Fargo" as a mini-, not a series, classifying "Orange Is the New Black" as a comedy and counting regular cast members as guests — continues to vex. But that may be taking the whole thing too seriously.

Seth Meyers is the first-time host; he has promised to stay clear of anything musical. Billy Crystal is slated to present a tribute to the late Robin Williams.

Louie- Louis C.K. is nominated for lead actor in a comedy series. (Provided by FX)

Here are our unscientific picks for who we wish would win, and who is likely to take the award.

Lead actress in a drama series

Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey"

Claire Danes, "Homeland"

Robin Wright, "House of Cards"

Lizzy Caplan, "Masters of Sex"

Kerry Washington, "Scandal"

Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"

Should win: Lizzy Caplan would be a great upset winner. The first-time nominee sizzles in period clothing as Virginia Johnson (when she's wearing clothing). But Robin Wright earned it as the scheming political spouse.

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Probably will win: Julianna Margulies, since her series was shut out in the best-drama category. She has won twice (once for "ER," once for "The Good Wife") and been nominated 10 times. Her performance as Alicia Florrick is a safe pick for the Academy.

Lead actor in a drama series

Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"

Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards"

Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"

Jeff Daniels, "The Newsroom"

Woody Harrelson, "True Detective"

Matthew McConaughey, "True Detective"

Should win: Matthew McConaughey, newcomer to the Emmys. His performance as Rust Cohle, the existential detective-philosopher was stunning. And no, it's not spillover sentiment from "Dallas Buyers Club." McConaughey's depiction of a traumatized, emotionally wounded man across time periods was mesmerizing.

Probably will win: Bryan Cranston, who has won four times already for his role as Walter White. Tough to argue if "Breaking Bad" sweeps the awards as a sendoff for its final season.

Supporting actress in a drama series

Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad"

Joanne Froggatt, "Downton Abbey"

Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey"

Lena Headey, "Game of Thrones"

Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men"

Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"

Should win: Christine Baranski, her fifth nomination for her role as savvy player Diane Lockhart should seal the deal. Also, the Academy could decide she's due since "The Good Wife" was snubbed in the drama series category.

Will win: Anna Gunn, a slowly simmering force as Skyler White.

Breaking Bad - Aaron Paul is nominated for best supporting actor in a drama series. (Provided by AMC)

Supporting actor in a drama series

Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"

Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey"

Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"

Mandy Patinkin, "Homeland"

Jon Voight, "Ray Donovan"

Josh Charles, "The Good Wife"

Should win: Jon Voight has turned in career-defining work as narcissistic outlaw patriarch Mickey Donovan. This would be his first Emmy win. Peter Dinklage is consistently terrific, and the end of this season was brilliantly played, but he won in 2011.

Will win: It's Aaron Paul's to lose. He won in 2010 and 2012 for his portrayal of Jesse Pinkman, the surrogate son to Cranston's Walter White, and his performance remained first-rate.

Scandal - Kerry Washington is nominated for lead actress in a drama series. (Provided by ABC)

Guest actress in a drama series

Diana Rigg, "Game of Thrones"

Kate Mara, "House of Cards"

Allison Janney, "Masters of Sex"

Kate Burton, "Scandal"

Margo Martindale, "The Americans"

Jane Fonda, "The Newsroom"

Should win: Allison Janney. Terrific as the unfulfilled but loving wife Margaret Scully in her scenes opposite Beau Bridges on "Masters of Sex." And wouldn't it be a coup if she also won for "Mom"?

Should win: Beau Bridges, for a stunning portrayal of a married and anguished closeted homosexual in the 1950s as Barton Scully.

Will win: Robert Morse, five-time nominee, as a sendoff to his character Bertram Cooper, who managed a song and dance in Don Draper's imagination on the way out.

Outstanding drama series

"Breaking Bad" AMC

"Downton Abbey" PBS

"Game of Thrones" HBO

"House of Cards" Netflix

"Mad Men" AMC

"True Detective" HBO

Should win: "Breaking Bad," the most brilliantly structured, cast, written and directed novelistic television of the year.

Will win: "Breaking Bad," for the second half of its final season and as a virtual standing-O for the series as a whole.

Lead actress in a comedy series

Lena Dunham, "Girls"

Melissa McCarthy, "Mike & Molly"

Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"

Taylor Schilling, "Orange is the New Black"

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"

Should win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus held the focus.

Will win: Taylor Schilling, although it's a challenge to remember a scene in which her character Piper was laugh-out-loud comedic. Take it as a group hug to the entire "OITNB" cast.

Lead actor in a comedy series

Ricky Gervais, "Derek"

Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes"

Don Cheadle, "House of Lies"

Louis C.K., "Louie"

William H. Macy, "Shameless"

Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"

Should win: Louis C.K. After three wins for Jim Parsons, it's time to move on to a less-watched but equally affecting series. "Louie" showcases Louis C.K.'s writing more than his acting, but he did dig deeper this season.

Will win: Jim Parsons, again.

Supporting actress in a comedy series

Julie Bowen, "Modern Family"

Allison Janney, "Mom"

Kate Mulgrew, "Orange is the New Black"

Kate McKinnon, "Saturday Night Live"

Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"

Anna Chlumsky, "Veep"

Should win: Janney, who brings many shades of tragicomedy to her role.

Will win: Julie Bowen has deservedly won twice for her portrayal of Claire Dunphy, and she could repeat. But here's a prediction that Mayim Bialik will score on her third nomination for her hilarious Amy Farrah Fowler portrayal on "TBBT."

Supporting actor in a comedy series

Andre Braugher, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"

Adam Driver, "Girls"

Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family"

Fred Armisen, "Portlandia"

Tony Hale, "Veep"

Should win: Jesse Tyler Ferguson has been nominated five times and seems overdue.

Will win: Andre Braugher

Guest actress in a comedy series

Laverne Cox, "Orange is the New Black"

Natasha Lyonne, "Orange is the New Black"

Uzo Aduba, "Orange is the New Black"

Tina Fey, "Saturday Night Live"

Melissa McCarthy, "Saturday Night Live"

Joan Cusack, "Shameless"

Should win: If only we could split the statuette three ways for the "OITNB" women.

Will win: Aduba has connected in a big way in perhaps the showiest role, as "Crazy Eyes" on "OITNB."

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